NOVEL APPLICATIONS OF THE PROPELLER.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXX, Issue 10106, 3 August 1893, Page 2

NOVEL APPLICATIONS OF THE PROPELLER.

Two novel arrangements of the propeller have lately been invented. One is the contrivance of Nicholas Nolan, of New' York, from which be expects great increase of steamship speed. Briefly, according to bis plan, not only is the propeller turned as iu ordinary ships, but two arms from above pressed downward and then extended by an additional steam cylinder force the screw back against the water with great power, thus pushing the ship ahead with a new force. The return movement of the cylinder brings the screw back to its original position, while it docs not cease to revolve. Mr Nolan has contrived a new form of screw, which offers little resistance on the forward motion and much on the backward. The arms are contracted by the force of the screw’s own forward motion, and the downward pressure for the backward movement is gained from exhaust steam, so that no additional power expense is incurred.

David TJrch, of Portsmouth, ia the inventor of what he calls the “ pendulum propeller/' to give auxiliary, power to Bailing vessels. It is intended to be affixed to the side of any vessel having on board a steam engine of any description, to give power in calms or light winds, or when entering or.leaving port. Atrial of the contrivance was made in Portsmouth Harbour recently on the fishing schooner Comet, an engine of five-horse power being placed on her deck; the vessel steamed up and down the river under perfect command, making three knots or more an hour. The invention is simplicity itself; it is fastened to a vessel's side, well up to the plank-shear, with three bolts, and when not in use the screw can be swung to the level of the rail, or higher, the ehaiu being always at the same tension. It is lifted by a small chain fastened to the lower portion of the “pendulum.”